Keifer Thompson of Popular Country Duo Thompson Square Named Songwriter of the Year; “Cruise” Named Song of the Year; Magic Mustang Music Named Publisher of the Year

SESAC honored the songwriters and music publishers behind the year’s most-performed Country and Americana songs at the organization’s Nashville Music Awards held Sunday, November 3, at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Keifer Thompson, who performs with current Academy of Country Music Top Vocal Duo and the CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Thompson Square, was named recipient of the coveted Songwriter of the Year award.

Song of the Year award went to “Cruise,” written by Jesse Rice and published by Artist Revolution Publishing. “Cruise” was recorded by Florida Georgia Line.

Magic Mustang Music was honored as Publisher of the Year at the event.

The awards event, which was held in the new Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Event Hall, boasted an evening of memorable musical moments. Country singer/songwriter duo John & Jacob performed “DONE.,” a No. 1 song for The Band Perry, which John Davidson and Jacob Bryant co-wrote. Broken Bow Records recording artist Thompson Square performed its current single, “Everything I Shouldn’t Be Thinking About.”

The elegant, black-tie event honored the writers and publishers behind the year’s biggest hits with awards being presented to the elite group of creative talent. More than 500 songwriters, publishers and industry professionals, including Keifer and Shawna Thompson of Thompson Square, Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum, recording artist Jerrod Niemann, recording artists Craig Campbell and Lance Miller, attended the annual awards ceremony.

Founded in 1930, making it the second oldest performing rights organization in the US, SESAC's repertory has diversified to include today's most popular music, including R&B, Hip-Hop, Dance, Classic Rock, Country hits, the best of Latin music, Contemporary Christian, Jazz, and TV and Film music from Hollywood's hottest composers. SESAC prides itself on developing individual relationships with both songwriters and publishers. SESAC's corporate headquarters in Nashville houses all of the company's divisions, from creative to licensing to administration. The company also has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami and London. For more information, please visit www.sesac.com.

A complete list of SESAC Award Recipients Follows:

Songwriter of the Year:
Keifer Thompson

Song of the Year:
“Cruise”
Written by Jesse Rice
Published by Artist Revolution Publishing
Recorded by Florida Georgia Line

Publisher of the Year:
Magic Mustang Music

Country Performance Activity Awards:

“All Kinds Of Kinds”
Written by Phillip Coleman, Don Henry
Published by Gravitron Music
Recorded by Miranda Lambert

“Cruise”
Written by Jesse Rice
Published by Artist Revolution Publishing
Recorded by Florida Georgia Line

“DONE.”
Written by Jacob Bryant, John Davidson
Published by Castle Bound Music
Recorded by The Band Perry

“Goodbye Town”
Written by Hillary Scott
Published by Hobbs Hill Publishing
Recorded by Lady Antebellum

“If I Didn’t Have You”
Written by Keifer Thompson
Published by Barragina Music,
Legends of Magic Mustang Music
Recorded by Thompson Square

“Let There Be Cowgirls”
Written by Kim Tribble
Published by Songs of Category 5,
Tunes of RPM
Recorded by Chris Cagle

“Wagon Wheel”
Written by Bob Dylan
Published by Special Rider Music
Recorded by Darius Rucker

“Whiskey ”
Written by Catt Gravitt
Published by Ink Pen Mama Music,
Songs of Maxx Publishing,
Tunes of R and T Direct
Recorded by Jana Kramer

“Alone With You”
Written by Catt Gravitt
Published by Ink Pen Mama Music,
Songs of Maxx Publishing, Tunes of R and T Direct
Recorded by Jake Owen

“A Woman Like You”
Written by Jon Stone
Published by Adios Pantalones, Hears That Skyline Music
Recorded by Lee Brice

“Dancin’ Away With My Heart”
Written by Hillary Scott
Published by EMI Foray Music, Hillary Dawn Songs
Recorded by Lady Antebellum

“For You”
Written by Monty Powell
Published by Cranesong Music, ole Toreador Tunes
Recorded by Keith Urban

“Why Ya Wanna”
Written by Catt Gravitt
Published by Ink Pen Mama Music,
Songs of Maxx Publishing, Tunes of R and T Direct
Recorded by Jana Kramer